Bullying Has Evolved — Raising an Empowered Child in Today s Climate

Pictures

• At the beginning can be a photo of a child looking they’re being bullied (someone bossing the other around, child that appears left out)
• Photo later can be child being included or lots of kids playing together
• Child standing in front of mirror looking proud (they’d essentially be saying affirmations)

Bullying Has Evolved — Raising an Empowered Child in Today's Climate

Parenting Habits That Help Your Child With Bullying

Why Building Confidence and Self-Love in Your Kids Matters

When my daughter was in second grade, she faced something I hoped she never would—bullying. But there she was, being picked on by another girl in her class.

We've all heard the stories, seen those painful scenes play out on TV, or even lived them ourselves. But knowing it's happening to your own child? That hits differently.

And bullying has evolved. Now it follows our kids right into our homes because of the internet and social media.

According to the National Bullying Prevention Center:

• 1 in every 5 students reports being bullied
• Bullying can lead to issues like depression, anxiety, and even a drop in academic achievement

Feeling overwhelmed? Pit in your stomach even thinking about this topic? I get it. The thought of tackling this can feel daunting.

But as parents, our job is to empower our kids—to help them grow up to be strong, happy, and loving individuals who are able to navigate difficult situations that come their way. And that starts with helping them create a deep sense of self-confidence and self-love from a young age.

So, if thinking about this big parenting topic feels overwhelming, the first step is knowing where to start. Begin by nurturing your child's inner confidence and tapping into your empowering parenting skills. Think small, actionable steps that teach them to value their own voice and space.

My Daughter's Path Through Bullying

My daughter was bullied when she was just seven years old. And I think it's a story worth sharing—not because it's unique, but because it shows how the right tools and mindset can make a difference in tough situations.

She was dealing with a classmate who was pretty tough on her. But instead of backing down, she did something amazing—she asked for a meeting with her and the principal.

It turns out the girl just wanted to be friends and didn't know how to show it. They ended up understanding each other and even headed to the playground together.

You see, my daughter, who has been raised with the Happy Life System since day one, knows that there are no problems in life; there are only challenges and solutions. With a strong foundation built from harmony, love, and compassion, she was able to see life through a different lens and take some pretty big steps to navigate the situation — even at the age of seven.

I share this story not to say this is how all bullying situations will turn out to be but to bring attention to the power of giving our kids the tools to handle challenges.

Each child's situation will be different, but empowering them with confidence and compassion is something all parents can help them with. And when we focus on teaching empathy to kids, we can prepare our children to face the world with strength and kindness.

Building Self-Love and Confidence: Two Simple Practices to Help With Bullying

Self-love and confidence are key for kids as they grow up, especially when dealing with things like bullying. And as parents, we play a big role in helping our children learn how to face tough times by nurturing these traits.

Wondering how you can start to inspire this in your children?

Empower your kids. Try these two simple practices with your child today:

1. Build a Positive Mental Mindset:

Have your child write down three things they love about themselves every day. Encourage them to say it out loud to themselves in the mirror. This will begin to build their muscle of self-love.

1. Build Confidence:

Have your child set a goal each week to accomplish one thing they have never done before. It could be saying hello to someone new or singing in front of a crowd. This will begin to allow them to trust themselves and build confidence.

As parents, we need to guide our children to care, respect, and believe in themselves. When they appreciate who they are, dealing with hard stuff like bullying can become easier.

So, let's help them build those skills day by day. With each small step, our children aren't just learning to deal with bullies—they're learning to lead full, joyful lives. And isn't that what we all want for our kids?